Leon James Holden

Celebration of life services for Leon James Holden, 78, of Gladewater will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview with Brother Ed Hulsey and Reverend Scott Schulik. Mr. Holden passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2017 in Tyler.

Mr. Holden was born July 7, 1939 in LaFarge, Wisconsin to the late Bernard James Holden and Beth Viola Tucker Larkin Holden. Mr. Holden served in the United States Navy and Air Force for a combined 20 years. After leaving the military he taught Industrial Technology at Cleburne Middle School for 22 years before retirement. Growing up Leon worked on the family farm and then as a lumberjack in Minnesota. He enjoyed working with his hands building projects of all types and sizes. He loved tinkering, gardening and spending time with his family and friends. Mr. Holden was a devout Christian, loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be truly missed by all the loving family and friends he leaves behind.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Betty Holden. As well as his son, Lee Holden, and his daughters Michelle Holden and Minnette Langley and her husband Jeremy. Also his two brothers Robert Holden, Sr. and Bruce Holden. As well as, his three grandsons Anthony Garcia and his wife Silvia, James Langley and John Langley.

Leon is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Marden Holden and his son-in-law Juan Garcia.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater.

Memorials can be made to Mobberly Baptist Church, Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home or Disabled American Veterans.